Alexis1234

gorgeous, clean work!

I regularly hand sew thick leather(1/2" +) -driving bridle cheeks, driving breast collars ( certain areas of harness I struggle to sew with a machine), etc and what I do is i make my stitching line with a compass and on the face of the strap use a pricking iron to mark stitches. Then i use an awl to go thru all layers and help me determine first stitch. I then use a pricking iron and make holes on back side with the iron.

I'll give him a call on Monday. Thanks everyone for the info!

I am not familiar with SX. Do you recommend I contact Beilers?

Yes, I currently hand sew all keepers. I have several very pretty long cheek and tug dies that I would like to use.. I am familiar with how to sew them- going thru the face and using a die to cover up the holes. My problem is- I can't justify fiddling with them that long - very time consuming! I will hand sew them if forced to though.

I have been in search of a stapler for doing long box loops on driving bridles for several months(posted about this before).. I have never seen one in person and there is very little information/pics available online. Standard Rivet doesn't have them anymore. I can buy the anvil for doing them used... can someone that uses them for harness work specifically,( not belt keepers) enlighten me? I already have a hand held stapler for belt type loose keepers, that's not what I'm looking for... how hard is it to get the head/ foot press if I buy anvil used? Thanks for any input!

Bronc nosebands or browbands might be easy first projects that are horse related

Do you have a picture of it? I used a regular bench top vice before I bought my press

You can pick up vintage/antique scallop punches on ebay

Sending a pm

I currently have a Cobra class 4 and a Pfaff 145 h3. I need/ would like a cylinder arm sewing machine for sewing multiple layers of medium weight canvas on... what brands should I look at? My Cobra is too heavy duty for topstitching my canvas bags and a home sewing machine is not enough. The Pfaff would work perfectly if it was a cylinder arm-(I'm sewing bags). I would appreciate any thoughts or information. Thank you!

I use a block of lead- works well

To answer your question, I guess technically, I could consider my harness handmade.. the only purchased items that I haven't made myself are the buckles, hames and metal ornaments/hardware. I make the winker plates myself- dishing them out with a ball peen hammer on anvils, stuff my own cruppers, make my own wired stays, etc. I have never thought to name it as such though... I don't think the majority would really care and quite frankly, it's my fault if I don't have access to "modern" equipment. I prefer doing it "my way" because I don't care for clunky, coarse looking factory produced harness parts.

Bottom line, in my opinion, "handmade" is so subjective.. I think it's just a trendy word at this point. As a consumer myself, I'll use a purse as an example: I could care less if my purse was sewn on or cut out by a machine or by hand. I want to see that its well made and there's attention to the little details. As far as horse harness( that's my main interest), if a maker is advertising hand stitched keepers, generally it means it's a well made harness- they paid attention, there are extra little details that set that harness above the average(again, that's a generalization). In fact, I would almost equate handmade to mean "rustic" or "primitive" in some instances...an excuse for obvious mistakes/flaws. Where I live, there is tons of "handmade" log furniture...

Thank you for the lead- still haven't found one.

Incredible! Thank you for sharing.

I guess i define " hand made" as an item that was made using more hand tools then machines, at a high level of skill and in a non factory type setting.

My edges look the same as yours. I've gone thru 3 sides of their dark brown English bridle this summer and have not been happy with the edges. As far as top coat, I'm having good luck with thinned Resolene.

Iv'e bought 6 or so sides from W and C this year- harness and bridle. Very nice, different then HO but I like it

Would you consider selling the ribbed side plates?

Beautiful!

I purchased a Randall loop press and it was shipped disassembled. I've put it back together but I cannot get the adjustment turn screws back into the holes and I think a part is missing... Does anyone have a picture of a loop press assembled(both pieces). I've googled to no avail. Thank you

Tried to edit my comment on this thread, but I cannot. I just want to clarify about the hand stitching part I mentioned: As an average consumer, I could care less if my wallet, belt or handbag was hand stitched( I don't make them and don't care)... however, with my interests being with carriage harness, if someone goes to a larger higher end shop, generally speaking, the keepers are hand stitched, if not a few other parts and it is advertised as such. To me, as a consumer( I have been there), it means the maker paid enough attention to the small details. As far as harness goes, the difference between a $400 harness and a $2,000 harness is in the details and finish work. Just my opinion.

Ok, thank you for checking

To answer the question- I don't consider myself a "craftsmen"... I'm too new at this. I consider leather working a serious hobby. I've had a few local people and others on social media approach me wanting horse harness/tack made and they want fancy show work at cheap, imported prices. I absolutely refuse to cater to them. . I never started on this journey trying to make a buck, - it was on the bucket list. That was grown out of disgust, frustration and the notion I can do it better. One lady I spoke to couldn't have cared less about hand stitching certain parts- she wanted bling, she wanted a certain "look".... at a certain price. When I tried explaining why to her, it went over her head. I notice on social media people will clamor for cheap blinged out tack/harness while overlooking well made small shop goods. I have no interest in a race to the bottom- my work can moulder on the barn wall.